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National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) was established by the Government of India in 1961 to improve quality education in India. The NCERT council started several programs towards assisting students and encouraging them to continue their studies. One such program was the National Science Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS). NTSE aims at identifying and nurturing talented students.
In 1963, this initiative was taken to award scholarship to talented students who are confined only to the Union Territory of Delhi. The scheme was extended to all states and union territories in the following years. The number of scholarships increased from 350 in 1964 to 500 in 1976. In 1983 the number of scholarships was extended to 750 with a provision of 70 scholarships, especially for SC/ST candidates.
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National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) was conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for identifying talented students; who want to pursue higher education in science and social studies streams. NTSE scheme was to award talented students by assisting them with financial aid to continue their education.
| Exam name | National Talent Search Examination |
|---|---|
| Exam name | National Talent Search Examination |
| Commonly known as | NTSE and STS |
| Conducted by | Respective States/UT conducts State-level examination/NTSE stage 1. NCERT conducts national level or NTSE stage 2. |
| Exam level | National level |
| Total scholarships | 2000 |
| Scholarship amount | Rs.1250 per month for class 11-12 Rs.2000 per month for UG and PG level as per UGC norms for research level |
| Scholarship level | Up to PhD level |
| Exam mode | Offline examination |
| Exam papers | Mental Aptitude Test (MAT) Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) |
| Test duration | 120 minutes |
| Total exam centres | For NTSE 2020-21 stage I exam- all 29 states and 7 Union Territories. For NTSE 2020-21 stage II - 35 exam cities |
| Registration dates | Registration began in October 2020, and the last date of application is to be notified by respective State/UT separately. |
| Exam helpline for NTSE stage 2 | Phone number - 011-26560464 e-mail - ntsexam.ncert@gov.in |
The exam selection procedure was based on a science aptitude test, an essay, a project report, and a personal interview. In 1964, it was changed to two objective type tests, namely the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), followed by a face to face interview in 1976.
During 1976, the exam was renamed to National Talent Search Scheme (NTSS) and was no longer confined to only basic sciences but was extended to social sciences, engineering, and medicine. Students of classes X, XI, and XII could appear for the exam.
The program was decentralized in 1985 to extend its reach to far-reaching corners in India and was also confined to class X students.
- The Olympiad was divided into a two-tier process. The state-based educational bodies conduct the first level exam known as the State Level Talent Search Examination, and NCERT performs the second level.
- Each state could recommend a stipulated number (as per state quota) of candidates. The national level examination is conducted for approximately 3000 students. The state and the union territory quota was computed based on the student enrolment at the secondary level.
- The states and union territories had complete authority on the design of the exams and how they are conducted but are advised to follow the national pattern (MAT and SAT).
- MAT section consists of 100 multiple choice questions, and the SAT section consists of 200 questions. Besides, the NTSE question paper also contains 25 multiple choice questions from any of the following languages.
| Asamiya | Bangla | English | Gujarati |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asamiya | Bangla | English | Gujarati |
| Hindi | Kanada | Marathi | Malayalam |
| Odia | Punjabi | Tamil | Telugu and Urdu |
Students could choose four out of these eight subjects and had to answer a total of 100 questions on the SAT.
Students who qualify for the exam conducted by NCERT are called to a face to face interview.
The scholarships are awarded based on scores in MAT, SAT, and their performance in the face-to-face interview.
NTSE 2020-21 stage 1 exam will be conducted in December 2020. Find out the NTSE 2020-21 exam schedule.
| NTSE Important Events | NTSE 2021 Dates (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Beginning of Registration | October 2020 (differ for each state) |
| NTSE Registration Last Date | November 2020 (differ for each state) |
| NTSE Stage 1 Admit Card Download | December 2020 (first week) |
| NTSE 2020-21 stage 1 exam date for Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 12-Dec-20 |
| NTSE 2020-21 stage 1 exam date for all states/UTs | 13-Dec-20 |
| NTSE 2020-21 stage 1 result date | Mar-21 |
| NTSE 2020-21 stage 2 admit card | The third week of April 2021 |
| NTSE 2020-21 stage 2 exam date | To be Announced |
| NTSE 2020-21 stage 2 results | To be Announced |
The number of NTSE scholarships was raised from 750 to 1000 in the year 2000, with the provision of reservation for SC/ST candidates based on the national norms of 15% and 7.5%. The scholarship was shifted from class X to class VIII in 2007. The class VIII MAT and SAT consisted of 90 questions, each with 35 questions for social science, 35 for science, and 20 for mathematics in SAT.
Student enrollment in classes VII and VIII was the deciding factor for student’s quota for a state. Besides, parental income was removed as a factor for awarding the scholarship. Also, included three percent reservation for physically challenged students was introduced in 2008. Let’s look into some of the other changes made in the NTSE exam.
- NTS exam was shifted to class X in 2013, and a language test (English/Hindi) was included as an additional component.
- The language test score is not a deciding factor while deciding the final list and is only qualifying in nature.
- Negative marking was introduced in 2014, with 1.3 marks were deducted for every wrong answer.
- In 2014, the scholarship amount was changed to INR 1,250 per month for class XI and XII.
- INR 2,000 per month for UG and PG.
- Scholarship for students pursuing a PhD by UGC norms varies.
- The minimum qualify mark was increased from 32% to 35% in 2015.
- Reservation for physically challenged students was increased from 3% to 4% in 2017.
- E-admit cards were introduced in 2018 and can be downloaded from the NCERT website.
- A reservation of 27 percent was given to other backward classes (OBC).
Under the present scheme, the NTSE 2020-21 scholarships are awarded to the candidates for pursuing courses in science and social science up to the doctoral level and in professional courses like medicine and engineering up to second-degree level. It is in addition to all the latest details mentioned above.
The written examination shall consist of two papers,
- Paper-I: mental ability test
- Paper-II: scholastic aptitude test
The table below shows the NTSE exam procedure.
| Process | Details |
|---|---|
| NTSE Registration | Students who are planning to avail NTSE 2020-21 scholarship should first register for the examination. NTSE registration will be processed under state-level supervision. Students who are selected will be able to appear for the national level exam and the interview. |
| NTSE Syllabus | Each exam (both state and national level) is divided into two parts. NTSE exam includes the mental ability test and scholastic ability test. NTSE syllabus includes the subjects or topics under aptitude and analytical reasoning for MAT. At the same time, SAT exam questions will be from science, mathematics, and social sciences. |
| NTSE Admit Card | Students will get two NTSE hall ticket with one for each exam (state level examination and the national level examination). Students can get the state level examination hall ticket from the school or the State Liason Officer. The national level NTSE admit cards can be downloaded from the NCERT website. |
| NTSE Result | Students can check the NTSE result on the NCERT website. Students will also get an email regarding the results. Students have to look for a merit list for both the national and state level exams. |
| NTSE Scholarship | Find out the updated information related to the NTSE scholarship. Get the eligibility criteria for higher secondary, second-degree level courses, and M.Phil./PhD stage. |
NTSE 2021 Eligibility Criteria
There are certain conditions laid out by NCERT that one should keep in mind before applying for the exam. NTSE Eligibility Criteria for each stage differ. The detailed criteria are provided below.
- Candidates must be an Indian national.
- Candidates must be studying in class 10 in a recognized private or government school in India.
- Unemployed candidates below the age of 18, studying in class 10 from open or distance learning are also eligible to apply.
- States or UTs may lay down some more conditions such as minimum qualifying marks in the previous class, age limit etc.
- The aspirants will not be qualified for second stage if they will not meet the sectional cut off in stage 1 (even after meeting the overall cut off score).
- The Indian students (who are studying abroad), should send the attested copy of the class 9 mark sheet to the head of the Educational Survey Division, NCERT by 31st December 2020.
Minimum Qualifying Score Needed in Class 9
| State | Minimum qualifying Marks (For General Category) | Minimum qualifying Marks (For Reserved Category) |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 60% marks | 55% |
| Rajasthan | 55% | 50% |
| Delhi | 60% | 55% |
| Uttar Pradesh | 55% | 44% |
| Punjab | 70% | 55% |
| Bihar | 60% | - |
| West Bengal | 50% | 40% |
| Madhya Pradesh | 40% | 32% |
| Tamil Nadu | 60% | - |
| Assam | 40% | 32% |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 60% | 55% |
| Jharkhand | 55% | 40% |
| Goa | 70% | 55% |
| Uttarakhand | 60% | 55% |
| Gujarat | 55% | - |
| Manipur | 60% | 55% |
| Himachal Pradesh | 60% | 55% |
| Kerala | 55% | - |
| Haryana | 55% | - |
| Puducherry | 60% | - |
| Chandigarh | 61% | 56% |
| Odisha | 60% | 55% |
NTSE Qualifying Score
| Category | Qualifying Marks in SAT | Qualifying Marks in MAT |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes/ Physically Handicapped. | 32% | 32% |
| General/ Economically weaker Sections/ OBC | 40% | 40% |
NTSE 2021 Reservation Criteria
There are provisions of reservation in NTSE 2021 as per government of India norms:
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.50% |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 27% |
| Persons with Disabilities (PWD) | 4% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
NTSE 2021 Exam centres
NTSE 2021 exam is conducted in various states and union territories. Candidates have to indicate their preferred exam centre at the time of filling up NTSE Application Form. Address of the allotted exam centre will be mentioned on the admit card. Below is the list of exam centres for NTSE 2021 examination:
| States/ UTs | Exam Centre Venue |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | KV No 2, Raksha Vihar, Minnie Bay |
| Andhra Pradesh | KV, Gandhi Gram Post, Malkapuram, Visakhapatnam |
| Arunachal Pradesh | KV No 2, Itanagar, Chimpu Post, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Assam | KV CRPF 9 Mile Amerigog, Kamrup, Guwahati |
| Bihar | KV No 1, Lohiya Nagar, Near Heart Hospital, Kankarbagh, Patna |
| Chandigarh | KV, ASF High Grounds, Chandigarh |
| Chhattisgarh | KV No 2, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Nagar, Sector 4, Raipur |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli | KV, Government High School Campus, Silvassa |
| Delhi | KV No 3, Ringroad, Near Seema Sadak Bhawan |
| Goa | KV, INS Madovi, Panjim |
| Haryana | KV No 1, AFS, Sector 14, Old Delhi Road, Gurugram |
| Himachal Pradesh | KV, Dharamshala Cantt, Kangra |
| Jammu & Kashmir | KV No 1, Gandhinagar, Jammu |
| Jharkhand | KV CCL, Rajendra Nagar, Ranchi |
| Karnataka | KV, ASC Centre, Victoria Road, Bangalore, Karnataka |
| Kerala | KV No 3, Port Trust, Willingdon Island, Kochi, Ernakulam |
| Lakshadweep | KV, Kavaratti |
| Madhya Pradesh | KV No 1, Opp Central India Flour Mill, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal |
| Maharashtra | KV, Bhandup, LBS Marg, Kanjurmarg West |
| Maharashtra | KV, BEG, Near Deccan College, Pune |
| Manipur | KV No 1, Lamphelpat, Imphal |
| Meghalaya | KV, Happy Valley, Shillong |
| Mizoram | KV, Project Pushpak Zemabawk, Aizawl |
| Nagaland | KV, CRPF Camp, Lerie Hill, Kohima, Nagaland |
| Odisha | KV No 1, Unit 9, Near Ram Mandir, Bhubaneswar |
| Puducherry | KV, IIT Campus, Chennai |
| Punjab | KV, ASF High Grounds, Chandigarh |
| Rajasthan | KV No 1, Bajaj Nagar, Opp Tonk Phatak, Jaipur |
| Sikkim | KV, Post Tadong, Middil, Siyari, Gangtok |
| Tamil Nadu | KV, IIT Campus, Chennai |
| Telangana | KV No 1, Langer House, Golconda, Hyderabad |
| Tripura | KV (GC) CRPF, Adarani, Salbagan, Agartala |
| Uttarakhand | KV ONGC, Kaulagarh Road, Dehradun |
| Uttar Pradesh | KV, Lucknow Cantt |
| Uttar Pradesh | KV, New Cantt, VD Road, Allahabad |
| West Bengal | KV, Ballygunge, Circular Road, Kolkata |
NTSE 2021 Cut off
Cut off marks are the minimum marks that are required by candidate to clear the examination. The cut off marks will be declared by the respective states. The final cut off mark will be declared by NCERT after the completion of stage 2 examination. NCERT publishes category wise and subject wise cut off marks.
The factors affecting the state wise cut off marks are as follows:
- Students appearing in the exam
- Difficulty level of the paper
- Marking scheme
- Number of seats available
Category wise cut off marks
| Categories | Total Score of MAT and SAT Cutoff | Maximum marks out of 197 of MAT, SAT |
|---|---|---|
| General | 150 | 186 |
| General- PH1 | 111 | 144 |
| General- PH2 | 78 | 124 |
| General- PH3 | 101 | 131 |
| SC | 122 | 149 |
| SC- PH1 | 71 | 113 |
| SC- PH2 | 87 | 87 |
| ST | 113 | 145 |
| ST-PH1 | 90 | 93 |
| ST-PH2 | 81 | 81 |
Subject wise cut off marks
| Test Papers | Maximum Marks | Qualifying Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST/ SC/ PH | General | ||
| Paper I MAT | 49* | 35% (17.15) | 40% (19.6) |
| Paper II English | 50 | 35% (17.5) | 40% (20.0) |
| Paper II Hindi | 50 | 35% (17.5) | 40% (20.0) |
| Paper III SAT | 96** | 35% (33.6) | 40% (38.4) |
| Total Marks | 145 | 35% (50.75) | 40% (58) |
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